Health expects influenza vaccination in March; Know who can be vaccinated

The Ministry of Health decided to advance vaccination appointments against the influenza virus that causes influenza in the northeast, central west, southeast, and south regions, with the campaign to take place in the north region at the end of 2023.

The strategy usually takes place between April and May, but this year it will start on March 25, due to the “expected spread of respiratory viruses,” according to Health and Environment Control Minister Ethel Maciel. According to the secretary, the department noticed the change in trading since last year.

Viruses generally begin to spread in May, June and July, which is the winter period in Brazil, when lower temperatures help the spread of these microorganisms.
The vaccine provided by the Ministry is trivalent – consisting of two strains of influenza A and one strain of B – and can be taken at the same time as other vaccinations. It is estimated that 75 million people will be immunized.

In the north, the vaccine was rolled out at the end of last year to protect a population that began to suffer from the Amazon winter – from mid-November to May – the period that sees the greatest transmission of influenza.

Therefore, from this year onwards, residents in other areas of the country will continue to receive the flu vaccine in the first half of the year, while the North will receive it in the second half. (fullpress)